September 7

Attorney Aaron Sokolow Quoted in the Washington Post

Attorney Aaron Sokolow was quoted in the Washington Post in an article regarding a Washington, DC commercial landlord and tenant case. The column describes a pending commercial eviction case involving the District of Columbia and Union Station over a bicycle transit center. The story states, “Aaron Sokolow, an expert in District landlord-tenant disputes at the law firm Battino & Sokolow, said the suit could lead to the city being evicted unless officials present a strong defense. The vast majority of cases are settled outside of court, added Sokolow, who has biked by the Union Station building while headed to court.” You can read the article here.

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July 12

Appeal regarding Real Estate Commissions in Washington, DC

Attorney Aaron Sokolow was recently quoted in a Bisnow article about the appeal decision involving real estate commissions in Washington, DC. The Court of Appeals overruled the lower court that previously held that the commission may not be due if a dual representation was not properly disclosed. The lower court strictly construed the technical requirements of the statute. The Court of Appeals took a more flexible approach. You can read the article here.

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May 1

Battino & Sokolow Attorneys Selected to the 2023 DC Super Lawyers List

Thomson Reuters recognized both Morris Battino and Aaron Sokolow as Washington, D.C. Super Lawyers for 2023 in the area of real estate law.

Super Lawyers is a rating service of outstanding lawyers who have attained a high-degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. Candidates for recognition are graded on a point scale that considers 12 indicators of professional achievement, including experience, representative clients, verdicts and settlements, honors and awards and pro bono and community service. The objective of Super Lawyers’ patented multiphase selection process is to create a credible, comprehensive and diverse listing of outstanding attorneys that can be used as a resource when searching for legal counsel.

Morris Battino’s Super Lawyer page can be found here.

Aaron Sokolow’s Super Lawyer page can be found here.

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February 20

Washington, DC 2023 Rent Control CPI Published

The Washington, DC 2023 Rent Control CPI calculations have been published. The 2023 rent control percentage will be 8.9%. The 2023 CPI-W will be 6.9% – an increase of 2.7% over the 4.2% CPI for rent control year 2022 (which ends April 30, 2023). The new CPI will apply to standard rent increases that become effective during rent control year 2023. If a rent-controlled unit is occupied by an elderly tenant or a tenant with a disability, the maximum standard rent increase will be 5%. To qualify for this lower rent increase cap, the tenant must have registered his or her elderly or disability status with the Rent Administrator. The 5% limitation is used because the CPI-W (6.9%) and the SS COLA (8.7%) both exceed the 5% maximum annual rent adjustment for elderly tenants and tenants with a disability.

The Rental Housing commission’s official notice can be read here.

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